第4章

JimmieDaledidnotslouchnow。Andforallhisdisreputableattire，incongruousasitwasinthatneighbourhood，fewpeoplethathepassedpaidanyattentiontohim，nonegavehimmorethanacasualglance——JimmieDaleswungalong，upright，withnoattempttomakehimselfinconspicuous，hurryingalittle，asoneintentuponadefiniteerrand。Ashenearedhishouseheslowedhispacealittleuntilacouple，whowerepassinginfrontofit，hadgoneon；thenhewentupthesteps，butnoiselesslyasashadownow，tothefrontdoor，openeditsoftly，closeditsoftlybehindhim，andcrouchedforamomentinthevestibule。

Throughthemonogrammedlaceontheplateglassoftheinnerdoorshecouldsee，alittleindistinctly，intothereceptionhallbeyond。

Thehallwasempty。Jason，forthatmatter，wouldbetheonlyonelikelytobeabout；theotherservantswouldhavenobusinessthereinanycase，andwhetherintheirquartersaboveorbelow，theyhadtheirownstairsattherear。

JimmieDaleinsertedthekeyinthespringlock，andopenedthedooracautiousfractionofaninch——tolisten。Therewasnosound——yes，asubduedmurmured——theservantsweredownstairsinthebasement。

Heslippedinside，slipped，inaflash，acrossthehall，and，treadinglikeacat，wentupthestairs。Hescarcelyseemedtobreatheuntil，withalittlesighofrelief，hestoodinsidehisdenonthefirstfloor，withthedoorshutbehindhim。

“ImustspeaktoJasonaboutbeingalittlemorewatchful，“mutteredJimmieDalefacetiously。“Here”sallmypropertyatthemercyof——

LarrytheBat！“

Aninstanthestoodbythedoor，lookingabouthim——inthebrightmoonlightstreaminginthroughthesidewindowstheroom”sappointmentsstoodoutinsoftshadows，thehugedavenport，thegreat，luxuriouseasy-chairs，aneaselwithahalf-finishedcanvas，ashehadleftit；thebig，flat-topped，rosewooddesk，theopenfireplace——andthen，hisstepssilentonthethickvelvetrugunderfoot，hewalkedquicklytothedesk。

Yes，thereitwas——theletter。Heplacedithurriedlyinhispocket——themoonlightwasnotstrongenoughtoreadby，andhedarednotturnonthelights。

Andnowmoney——funds。Inthealcovebehindtheportiere，JimmieDaledroppedonhiskneesbeforethesquat，barrel-shapedsafe，andopenedit。Hereachedinside，tookoutapackageofbanknotes，placedthebillsinhispocket——andhesitatedamoment。Whatelsewouldherequire？WhatactdidthatlettercallupontheGraySealtoperforminthenextfewhours？JimmieDalestaredthoughtfullyintotheinteriorofthesafe。Whateveritwas，itmustbeperformedintheroleofLarrytheBat，forthoughhecouldgetintohisdressingroomnow，andbecomeJimmieDaleagain，therewerestillthosewatchersoutsidetheSanctuary——THEYmustnotbecomesuspicious——andifLarrytheBatdisappearedmysteriously，LarrytheBatwouldbethemanthatKlineandthesecretserviceoftheUnitedStateswouldneverceasehuntingfor，andthatwouldmeanthathecouldneverreassumeacharacterthatwasasnecessaryforhisprotectionasbreathwastolife，solongastheGraySealworked。

True，hecouldchangenowtoJimmieDale，buthewouldhavetochangebackagainandreturntotheSanctuarybeforemorning，asLarrytheBat——andremainthereuntilKline，beaten，calledoffhishumanbloodhounds。No，achangewasnottobethoughtof。

What，then，wouldherequire——thatcompactlittlekitofburglartools，rolledinitsleatherjacket，that，unrolledslippedabouthisbodylikeaclose-fittingundervest？Aswelltotakeitanyway。

Heremovedhiscoatandvest，tookouttheleatherbundlefromthesafe，untiedthethongsthatboundittogether，unrolledit，passeditaroundhisbody，lifebeltfashion，securedthethongsoverhisshoulders，andputonhiscoatandvestagain。Arevolver，aflashlight？Hehadboth——attheSanctuary，undertheflooring——buttherewereduplicateshere！Heslippedthemintohispockets。

Anythingelse——toforestallandprovideforanypossiblecontingency？Hehesitatedagainforamoment，thinking，thenslowlyclosedtheinnerdoorofthesafe，lockedit，swungtheouterdoorshut——and，intheactoftwirlingtheknobs，sprangsuddenlytohisfeet。Sharp，shrillinthestillnessoftheroom，thetelephonebellonthedeskrangoutclamourously。

JimmieDale”sfacesethard，asheleapedoutfrombehindthecurtain——hadJasonheardit！Itrangagainbeforehecouldreachthedesk——wasringingashesnatchedthereceiverfromthehook。

“Yes，yes！“hecalled，inalow，guarded，hastyway，intothemouthpiece。“Hello！Whatisit？“Andthenonehand，restingonthedesk，closedaroundtheedge，andtighteneduntiltheskinovertheknucklesgrewivorywhite。Itwas——SHE！She！ItwasHER

voice——hehadonlyhearditonceinallhislife——thatnight，twonightsbefore，inasilverylaughfromthelimousineasithadspedawayfromhimdowntheroad——butheknew！Itthrilledhimnowwithamadrhapsody，robbinghimforthemomentofeverythoughtsavethatshewasliving，real，existent——thatitwasHERvoice。“It”syou——YOU！“hesaidhoarsely。

“Oh，Jimmie——youatlast！“——itcameinalittlegaspingcryofrelief。“Theletter”

“Yes，I”vegotit——it”sallright——it”sallright“——thewordswouldnotseemtocomefastenoughinhisdesperatehaste。“Butit”syounow。Listen！Listen！“hepleaded。“Tellmewhoyouare！MyGod！

howI”vetriedtofindyou，and”

Thatrippling，silverylaughagain，butnow，too，itseemedtohiseagerear，withjustthefaintestnoteofwistfulnessinit。

“Someday，Jimmie。Thatletternow。It”

JimmieDalestraightenedupsuddenly——Jason”ssteps，running，soundedoutsidetheroomalongthecorridor——therewasnotaninstanttolose。

“Hangup！Good-bye！Danger！Don”tringagain！“hewhisperedhurriedly，and，withamiserablesmile，replacingthereceiverbitterlyonthehook，hejumpedforthecurtain。

Hereacheditnonetoosoon。Thedooropened，anelectric-lightswitchclicked，andtheroomwasfloodedwithlight。Jason，stillrunning，headedforthedesk。

“It”llbeheragain！“JimmieDaleheardtheoldmanmutter，asfromtheedgeoftheportierehewatchedtheother”sactions。

Jasonpickedupthetelephone。

“Hello！Hello！“hecalled——thenbegantoclickimpatientlywiththereceiverhook。“Hello！……Who？……Central？……Idon”twantanynumber——somebodywascallinghere……What？……

Nobodyonthewire！“

Hesetthetelephonebackonthedeskwithabewilderedair。

“That”squeer！“heexclaimed。“IcouldhaveswornIhearditringtwice，and”Hestoppedabruptly，and，leaningacrossthedesk，hungthere，wide-eyed，staring，whileasicklypallorbegantostealintohisface。“Theletter！“hemumbledwildly。“Theletter——

MasterJim”sletter——theletter——it”sGONE！“

Trembling，excited，theoldmanbegantosearchthedesk，thendownonhiskneesonthefloorunderit；andthen，growingmorefranticwitheveryinstant，roseandbegantohuntaroundtheroominanagitated，aimlessfashion。

Jason”sdistresswasveryreal——hewasalmostbesidehimselfnowwithfearandanxiety。Awhimsical，affectionatesmileplayedoverJimmieDale”slipsattheoldman”santics——andchangedsuddenlyintooneofconsternation。Jasonwasmakingdirectlynowforthecurtainbehindwhichhestood！Perhaps，though，hewouldpassitby，and——Jason”shandreachedoutandgraspedtheportiere。

“Jason！“saidJimmieDalesharply。

Theoldmanstaggeredbackasthoughhehadbeenstruck，triedtospeak，choked，andgazedatthecurtainwithdistendedeyes。

“Is——isthatyou，sir——MasterJim——behindthecurtainthere？“hefinallyblurtedout。“I——sir——yougavemeastart——andtheletter，MasterJim”

“Don”tloseyourhead，Jason，“saidJimmieDalecoolly。“I”vegottheletter。NowdoasIbidyou。”

“Yes——MasterJim，“falteredtheoldman。

“Pulldownthewindowshadesanddrawtheportieretogether，“

directedJimmieDale。

Jason，stilloverwroughtandexcited，obeyedalittleawkwardly。

“Nowthelights，Jason，“instructedJimmieDale。“Turnthemoff，andgoandsitdowninthatchairatthedesk。”

AgainJasonobeyed，stumblinginthedarknessashereturnedfromtheelectric-lightswitchatthefartherendoftheroom。Hesatdowninthechair。

LarrytheBatsteppedoutfrombehindthecurtain。“Icameforthatletter，Jason，“heexplainedquietly。“Iamgoingoutagainnow。I

maybebackto-morrow；Imaynotbebackforaweek。Youwillsaynothing，notaword，ofmyhavingbeenhereto-night。Doyouunderstand，Jason？“

“Yes，sir，“saidJason；thenhesitantly：“Wouldyoumindsaying，sir，whenyoucamein？“

“It”sofnoconsequence，Jason——isit？“

“No，sir，“saidJason。

JimmieDalesmiledinthedarkness。

“Jason！“

“Yes，sir。”

“Iwishyoutoremainwhereyouare，withoutleavingthatchair，forthenexttenminutes。”Hemovedacrosstheroomtothedoor。

“Good-night，Jason，“hesaid。

“Good-night，MasterJim——good-night，sir——oh，Lord！“

JimmieDaledidnotrequirethattenminutes；itwasaverywidemarginofsafetytoobviatethepossibilityofJason，fromawindow，detectingtheexitofadisreputablecharacterfromthehouse——inthreeminuteshewasturningthecornerofthefirstcrossstreetandwalkingrapidlyawayfromRiversideDrive。

InthesubwaystationJimmieDalereadtheletter——readittwiceover，ashealwaysreadthosestrangeepistlesofhersthatopenedthedoortonewperil，newdangertotheGraySeal，buttoo，thatseemedsomehowtodrawtighter，inaglad，bigway，theunseenbondbetweenthem；readit，ashealwaysreadthoseletters，almostsubconsciouslycommittingtheverywordstomemorywiththatkeenfacultyofbrainofhis。Butnowashebegantotearthesheetandenvelopeintominuteparticles，astrained，hardlookwasonhisfaceandinhiseyes，andhislips，halfparted，movedalittle。

“It”sadeathwarrant，“mutteredJimmieDale。“I——Iguessto-nightwillseetheendoftheGraySeal。ShesaysIneedn”tdoit，butI

guessit”sworththerisk——ahumanlife！“

Adowntownexpressroaredintothestation。

“Whattimeisit？“JimmieDaleaskedtheguard，ashesteppedaboard。

“”Boutmidnight，“themanansweredtersely。

Theforwardcarwasalmostempty，andJimmieDalechoseaseatbyhimself。Howdidsheknow？Howdidsheknownotonlythis，butthehundredotheraffairsthatshehadoutlinedinthoselettersofhers？Bywhatmeans，superhuman，indeed，itseemed，didshe——JimmieDalejerkedhimselferectsuddenly。Whatgooddiditdotospeculateonthatnow，wheneveryminutewaspriceless？WhatwasHE

todo，howwashetoact，whatplancouldheformulateandcarryout，andWINagainstoddsthat，attheoutset，weredesperateenougheventoforecastalmostcertainfailure——anddeath！

WhowouldeverhavesuspectedoldTomLudgate，knownforyearsthroughoutthesqualouroftheEastSideasoldLuddy，thepushcartman，ofhavingabagofunsetdiamondsunderhispillow——orunderthesack，rather，thatheprobablyusedforapillow！Whataqueerthingtodo！Butthen，oldLuddywasacharacter——apparentlyalwaysinthemostpoverty-strickencondition，apparentlyhardlymorethankeepingbodyandsoultogether，trustingnoone，andobsessedbythedreadthatbydepositinginabanksomeonewoulddiscoverthathehadmoney，andattempttoforceitfromhim，hehadputhissavings，yearafteryear，fortwentyyears，twenty-fiveyears，perhaps，intounsetstone——diamonds。Howhadshefoundthatout？

JimmieDalesankintoadeeperreverie。Hecouldstealthemallright，andtheywouldbewellworththestealing——oldLuddyhaddonewell，andlivedandexistedonnexttonothing——thestones，shesaid，wereworthaboutfifteenthousanddollars。Notsobad，evenfortwenty-fiveyearsofvegetablesellingfromapushcart！Hecouldstealthemallright；itwouldtaxtheGraySeal”singenuitylittletodososimpleathingasthat，butthatwasnotall，nor，indeed，hardlyafactorinit——itwasvitalthatifheweretosucceedatallhemuststealthemPUBLICLY，asitwere。

Andafterthat——WHAT？Hisownchanceswereprettyslimatbest。

JimmieDale，staringatthegraynessofthesubwaywallthroughthewindow，shookhisheadslowly——then，withaqueerlittlephilosophicalshrugofhisshoulders，hesmiledgravely，seriously。

Itwasallapartofthegame，allapartofthelife——oftheGraySeal！

Itwashalf-pasttwelve，oralittlelater，asnearlyashecouldjudge，forLarrytheBatcarriednosuchornatethinginevidenceasawatch，ashehaltedatthecornerofadark，squalidstreetinthelowerEastSide。Itwasamiserablelocality——indaylighthummingwithacosmopolitanhiveofpitifulhumansdraggingoutasbesttheycouldanintolerableexistence，alocalitypeopledwitheverynationalityonearth，theircommunityofinterestthestruggletomaintainlifeatthelowestpossibleexpenditure，wherenecessityevenwasparedandshaveddowntoaminimum；butnow，atnighttime，orratherintheearly-morninghours，thedarkness，inverymercy，itseemed，covereditwithaveil，asitwere，andinthequietthathungoveritnowhidthebald，thehideous，aye，andthepiteous，too，fromview。

Itwasanarrowstreet，andtherowoftenementhouses，eachhousealmostidenticalwithitsneighbour，thatflankedthepavementoneitherside，seemed，fromwhereJimmieDalestoodlookingdownitslength，fromthecorner，toconvergetogetheratapointalittlewaybeyond，givingitanunreal，ominous，cavernlikeeffect。And，too，thereseemedsomethingominouseveninitsquiet。ItwasasthoughonesensedacutelythecrouchingofsomeThinginitslair——

waitingsilently，viciously，withsullenpatience。

Afootstepsounded——another。JimmieDaledrewquicklybackaroundthecornerintoanareaway。Twomenpassed——inhelmets——swingingtheirnightsticks——thatbeatwasalwayspolicedinpairs！

Theypassedon，turnedthecorner，andwentdownthenarrowcrossstreetthatJimmieDalehadjustbeeninspecting。Hestartedtofollow——anddrewbackagainabruptly。Aformflittedsuddenlyacrosstheroadanddisappearedinthedarknessintheofficers”

wake——tenyardsbehindthefirstanotherfollowed——atthesameintervalofdistancestillanother——andyetstillonemore——fourinall。

Thedarknesshidallsix，thetwopolicemen，thefourmenbehindthem——theonlysoundsweretheOFFICERS”footstepsdyingawayinthedistance。

JimmieDale”sfingersweremechanicallytestingthemechanismoftheautomaticinhispocket。

“TheSkeeter”sgang！“hemutteredtohimself。“RedMose，theMidget，HarveThoms——andtheSkeeter！TheWorstapachesinthecityofNewYork；deathcontractors——thelowestbidders！Professionalassassins，andaman”slifeanytimefortwenty-fivedollars！I

wonder——I”veneverdoneityet——butIwonderifitwouldbeacrimeinGod”ssightifoneshot——toKILL！“

JimmieDalewasatthecorneragain——againthestreetbeforehimwasblack，deserted，empty。Hechosetherighthandside，and，wellintheshadowofthehouses，asanextraprecaution，stolealongsilently。Hestoppedfinallybeforeonewhere，inthedoorway，hungalittlesign。JimmieDalemountedtheporch，andwithhiseyesclosetothesigncouldjustmakeoutthelargerwordsinthebigprintedtype：

ROOMTORENT

TOPFLOOR

JimmieDalenodded。Thatwasright。Thefirsthouseontheright-

handside，withtheroom-to-rentsign，herletterhadsaid。Hisfingersweretestingthedoorknob。Thedoorwasnotlocked。

“Naturally，itwouldn”tbelocked，“JimmieDaletoldhimselfgrimly——

andsteppedinside。

Hestoodforaninstantwithoutmovement，everyfacultyonthealert。Farupabovehimastep，guardedthoughhistrainedearmadeitouttobe，creakedfaintlyuponthestairs——therewasnoothersound。Thecreaking，almostinaudibleatitsloudest，recededfartherup——andsilencefell。

Inthedarkness，noiselessly，JimmieDalegropedforthestairway，foundit，andbegantoascend。Theminutespassed——itseemedaminuteevenfromsteptostep，andtherewerethreeflightstothetop！Theremustbenocreakingthistime——theslightestsound，heknewwellenough，wouldbenotonlyfataltotheworkhehadtodo，butprobablyfataltohimselfaswell。Hehadbeenneardeathmanytimes——theconsciousnessthathewasnearertoitnow，possibly，thanhehadeverbeenbefore，seemedtostimulatehissensesintoacuteandabnormalenergy。And，too，thephysicaleffort，as，stepbystep，theflexedmusclesrelaxingsoslowly，littlebylittle，gradually，eachtimeashefoundfootholdonthestephigherup，wasaterrificstrain。Atthetophisfacewasbathedinperspiration，andhewipeditoffwithhiscoatsleeve。

Itwasstilldarkhere，intenselydark，andhiseyes，thoughgrownaccustomedtoit，couldmakeoutnothingbutthedeepershadowofthewalls。Butthankstoher，alwaysamistressofaccurateandminutedetail，hepossessedamentalplanofhissurroundings。Theheadofthestairsgaveonthemiddleofthehallway——thehallwayrantohisrightandleft。Tohisright，ontheoppositesideofthehall，wasthedoorofoldLuddy”ssqualidtwo-roomapartment。

ForamomentJimmieDalestoodhesitant——asuddenperplexityandanxietygrowinguponhim。Itwasstrange！Whatdiditmean？Hehadnervedhimselftoaquick，desperateattempt，trustingtosurpriseandhisownwitandagilityforvictory——therehadseemednootherwaythanthat，sincehehadseenthosefourmenatthecorner——sincetheywereAHEADofhim。True，theywerenotmuchaheadofhim，notenoughtohaveaccomplishedtheirpurpose——and，furthermore，theywerenotinthatroom。Heknewthatabsolutely，beyondquestionofdoubt。Hehadlistenedforjustthatallthenerve-rackingwayupthestairs。Butwherewerethey？Therewasnosound——notasound——justblackness，dark，impenetrable，utter，thatbegantopalpitatenow。

Itcameinawhisper，wavering，sibilant——fromhisleft。Asortofrelief，fierceinthebreakingofthetenseexpectancy，premonitoryinthepossibilitiesthatitheld，sweptJimmieDale。Hecreptalongthehall。Thewhisperhadcomefromthatroom，presumablyempty——thatwasforrent！

Bythedoorhecrouched——hissensitivefingers，eyestoJimmieDalesooften——feelingoverjambandpanelswithadelicate，soundlesstouch。Thedoorwasjustajar。Thefingerscreptinsideandtouchedtheknobandlock——therewasnokeywithin。

Thewhisperingstillwenton——butitseemedlikeascreamingofvulturesnowinJimmieDale”sears，asthewordscametohim。

“Aw，say，Skeeter，dishigh-browstuntgivesmedepip！Mefergoin”inderean”croakin”degeezerreg”lar，widoutdefrills。

Who”stoknow？Say，justabouttwominutes，an”we”rebeatin”itwiddesparklers。”

Aninch，ahalfinchatatime，theknobslowly，very，veryslowlyturning，thedoorwasbeingclosedbythecrouchedformonthethreshold。

“Closeyertrap，Mose！“cameafierceresponse。“Weain”tfixedthelayalldayfornothin”。Thereain”tasoulonearthknowshe”sgotanysparklers，”ceptus。Iftherewas，itwouldbedifferent——thenthey”dknowthatwaswhatwhoeverdiditwasafter，see？“

Thedoorwasclosed——theknobslowly，very，veryslowlybeingreleasedagain。FromoneoftheleatherpocketsunderJimmieDale”svestcameatinysteelinstrumentthatheinsertedinthekey-hole。

Thesamevoicespokeon：

“That”swhatwe”recroakinghimfor，”causenobodyknowsaboutthemdiamonds，andso”shecan”tTELLanybodyafterwardthatanywerepinched。An”that”swhyit”sgottolooklikehejustgottiredoflivinganddidithimself。Iguessthat”llholdthepolicewhentheyfindthepooroldduckhangingfromtheceiling，withabitofcordaroundhisneck，andachairkickedoutfromunderhisfeetonthefloor。Ain”tyougotthebrainsofalousetoseethat？“

“Sure“——thewhispercamedully，ingrudgingintonationthroughthepanels——thedoorwaslocked。“Sure，butit”sdehangin””roundwaitin”togetbusythat”sgettin”megoat，an””

JimmieDalestraightenedupandbegantoretreatalongthecorridor。

Amercilessragewasuponhimnow，everyfiberofhisbeingseemedtotingleandquiverwithit——thedamnable，hellishingenuityofitallseemedtochokeandsuffocatehim。

“Luck！“mutteredJimmieDalebetweenhisclenchedteeth。“Oh，theblessedlucktogetthatdoorlocked！I”vegottimenowtosetthestageformyownget-awaybeforetheshowdown！“

Hestoleonalongthecorridor。Excerptsfromherletterwererunningthroughhisbrain：“Itwoulddonogoodtowarnhim，Jimmie——

theSkeeterandhisgangwouldneverletuponhimuntiltheygotthestones……Itwoulddonogoodforyoutostealthemfirst，fortheywouldonlytakethatasaruseofoldLuddy”s，andmurderthemanfirstandhuntafterward……InsomewayyoumustlettheSkeeterSEEyoustealthem，makethemthink，makethemcertainthatitisabona-fidetheft，sothattheywillnolongerhaveanyinterestoranydesiretodooldLuddyharm……Andforittoappearrealtothem，itmustappearrealtooldLuddyhimself——donottakeanychancesthere。”

JimmieDale”seyesnarrowed。Yes，itwassimpleenoughnowwiththatpackofhell”swolvesguardedforthemomentbyalockeddoor，forcedtogivehimwarningbybreakingthedoorbeforetheycouldgetout。ItwassimpleenoughnowtoenteroldLuddy”sroom，stealthestonesattherevolverpoint，thenmakeenoughdisturbance——whenhewasready——tosettheganginmotion，and，astheyrushedinopenhim，tomakehisescapewiththestonestotheroofthroughLuddy”sroom。Thatwassimpleenough——therewasanopeningtotheroofinLuddy”sroom，shehadsaid，andtherewasaladderkeptthereinplace。Onhotnights，itseemed，theoldmanusedtogoupthereandsleepontheroof——notnow，ofcourse。Itwastoolateintheyearforthat——buttheopeningintheroofwasthere，andtheladderremainedthere，too。

Yes，itwassimpleenoughnow。AndthenextmorningthepaperswouldravewithexecrationsagainsttheGraySeal——fortherobberyofthelifesavingsofapoor，defenselessoldman，forcommittingasvileandpitifulacrimeashadeverstirredNewYork！EvenCarruthers，oftheMORNINGNEWS-ARGUS，wouldbemovedtobitterattack。GoodoldCarruthers——wholittlethoughtthattheGraySealwashisoldcollegepal，hispresentmostintimatefriend，JimmieDale！Andafterward——afterthenextmorning？Well，that，atleast，hadneverbeenindoubt。OldLuddycouldbemadetoleaveNewYork，and，onceaway，withtheSkeeterandhisgangrobbedofincentivetopayanyfurtherattentiontohim，thestonescouldbesecretlyreturnedtotheoldman。Anditwouldtothepublic，tothepolice，bejustanotheroftheGraySeal”scrimes——thatwasall！

JimmieDalehadreachedoldLuddy”sdoor。TheGraySeal？Oh，yes，theywouldknowitwastheGraySeal——theinsigniawasfamiliarenough；familiartothecrooksoftheunderworld，whohelditinawe；familiartothepolice，towhomitwasanaddedbarbofridicule。Hewasplacingitnow，thatinsignia，adiamond-shaped，graypaperseal，onthepanelofthedoor；andnow，ablacksilkmaskadjustedoverhisface，JimmieDalebenttoinsertthelittlesteelinstrumentinthelock——apitiful，paltrything，acheaplock，tofingersthatcouldplaysointimatelywithtwirlingknobsanddials，mastersoftheintricatemechanismofvaultsandsafes！

Andthen，abouttoopenthedoor，asortofsuddendismayfelluponhim。Hehadnotthoughtofthat——somehow，ithadnotoccurredtohim！WHATWASITTHEYWEREWAITINGFOR？Whyhadtheynotstruckatonce，as，whenhehadfirstenteredthehouse，hehadsupposedtheywoulddo？Whatwasit？Whywasit？WasoldLuddyout？Weretheywaitingforhisreturn——orwhat？

Thedoor，withoutsound，movedgraduallyunderhishand。Afaintodorassailedhisnostrils！Itwasdark，verydark。Acrosstheroom，inadirectline，wasthedoorwayoftheinnerroom——shehadexplainedthatinherletter。Itwasslowprogresstocrossthatroomwithoutsound，insilence——itwasasnail”smovement——forfearthatevenamusclemightcrack。

Andnowhestoodintheinnerdoorway。Itwasdarkhere，to——andyet，howbizarre，astarseemedtotwinklethroughtheveryroofoftheroomitself！Theodourwaspungentnow。Therewasalong-drawnsigh——thenalow，indescribablesoundofmovement。SOMEBODY，APART

FROMOLDLUDDY，WASINTHEROOM！

Itswept，thefullconsciousnessofit，uponJimmieDaleinaninstantaneousflash。Chloroform；theopenscuttleintheroof；thewaitingofthoseothers——allfusedintoacompactlogicalwhole。

Theyhadloosenedthescuttleduringtheday，probablywhenoldLuddywasaway——oneofthemhadcreptdowntherenowtochloroformtheoldmanintoinsensibility——theotherswouldcompletetheghastlyworkpresentlybystringingtheirvictimuptotheceiling——

anditwouldbesuicide，for，longbeforemorningcame，longbeforetheoldmanwouldbediscovered，thefumesofthechloroformwouldbegone。

Itseemedlikeacoldhand，deathlike，clutchingathisheart。Washetoolate，afterall！Chloroformalonecould——kill！Totheright，justalittletotheright——hemustmakenomistake——hisearplacedthesound！Hewhippedhishandsfromthesidepocketsofhiscoat——therayofhisflashlightcutacrosstheroomandfelluponanagedfaceuponabed，uponahandclutchingawadofcloth，theclothpressedhorriblyagainstthenoseandmouthoftheupturnedface——andthen，roaringinthestillness，spittingaviciouslaneoffirethatparalleledtheflashlight”sray，camethetongueflameofhisautomatic。

Therewasayell，ascream，thatechoedout，reverberated，andwentracketingthroughthehouse，andJimmieDaleleapedforward——overatable，sendingitcrashingtothefloor。Themanhadreeledbackagainstthewall，clutchingatashatteredwrist，staringintotheflashlight”seye，white-faced，jawdropped，lipsworkinginmingledpainandfear。

“HarveThoms——you，eh？“grittedJimmieDale。

Acunninglooksweptthedistortedface。Here，apparently，wasonlyoneman——therewerepals，threeofthem，onlyafewyardsaway。

“Youain”tgotnothingonme！“hesnarled，sparringfortime。“Youpolicearetoodamnedfreshwithyourguns！“

“I”lltakeyours！“snappedJimmieDale，andsnatcheditdeftlyfromtheother”spocket。“Thisain”tanypolicejob，mybucko，andyoumakeamoveandI”lldropyouforkeeps，ifwhatyou”vegotalreadyain”tenoughtoteachyoutokeepyourhandsoffjobsthatbelongtoyourbetters！“

Hewasworkingwithmadhasteashespoke。Oneminuteattheoutsidewas，perhaps，allhecouldcountupon。Alreadyhehadcaughttherattleofthelockeddoordownthehall。Helitamatchandturnedonthegasoverthebed——itwasthemostdangerousthinghecoulddo——heknewthatwellenough，noneknewitbetter——itwasofferinghimselfasafairmarkwhentheothersrushedin，astheywouldinamomentnow——buttheSkeeterandhisgangandthismanheremusthavenomisconceptionofhispurpose，hisreasonforbeingthere，thesameastheirown，thetheftofthestones——andnomisconceptionastohisSUCCESS。

“Y”ain”tthepolice！“——itcameinachokedgaspfromtheother，asheblinkedinthesuddenlight“Saythen”

“Shutup！“orderedJimmieDalecurtly。“AndmindwhatItoldyouaboutmoving！“Heleanedoverthebed。OldLuddy，thoughundertheinfluenceofthechloroform，wasmovingrestlessly。Thomshadevidentlyonlybeguntoapplythechloroform——oldLuddywassafe！

JimmieDaleranhishandinunderthepillow。“Ifyouain”tswipedthemalreadytheyoughttobehere！“hegrowled；“andifyouhaveI”ll——ah！“Alittlechamoisbagwasinhishand。HelaughedsneeringlyatThoms，openedthebag，allowedafewstonestotrickleintohishand——andthen，withoutstoppingtoreplacethem，dashedstonesandbagintohispocket。Thedooralongthecorridorcrashedopen。

“What”sthat？“hegaspedout，inwell-simulatedfright——andsprangfortheladderthatleduptotheroof。

Ithadalltaken，perhaps，theminutethathehadcountedon——nomore。Noisescamefromthefloorsbelownow，aconfusionofthem——

theshot，thescreamhadbeenheardbyothers，savethosewhohadbeeninthelockedroom。Andthelatterwereoutsidenowinthecorridor，runningtotheiraccomplice”said。

Therewasapauseattheouterdoor——thenanoath——andcoupledwiththeoathanexclamation：

“TheGraySeal！“

Theyhadsweptaflashlightoverthedoorpanel——JimmieDale，halfwayuptheladder，smiledgrimly。

Thedooropened——therewasarushoffeet。Themanwiththeshatteredwristyelled，cursingwildly：

“Hereheis——ontheladder！Lethimhaveit！Fillhimfullofholes！“

JimmieDalewasinthelight——theywereinthedarkoftheouterroom。Hefiredatthethreshold，checkingtheirrush——asahailofbulletschippedandtoreattheladderandspatwickedlyagainstthewall。Heswungthroughtotheroof，trying，ashedidso，tokicktheladderloosebehindhim。Itwasfastened！

Thethreegunmenjumpedintotheroom——fromtheroofJimmieDalegotaglimpseofthembelow，asheflunghimselfclearoftheopening。

Bulletswhistledthroughtheaperture——avoiceroaredupashegainedhisfeet：

“Comeon！Afterhim！Thewholeplaceisalive，butthisletsusout。Wecanframeuphowwecametobehereeasyenough。Nevermindtheoldgeezerthereanymore！GettheGraySeal——therewardthat”soutforhimisworthtwicethesparklers，and”

JimmieDalehurledthecoveroverthescuttle。Hecouldhavestoodthemofffromaboveandkepttheladderclearwithhisrevolver，butthealarmseemedgeneralnow——windowswereopening，voiceswerecallingtooneanother——fromthewindowsacrossthestreethemuststandoutinsharpoutlineagainstthesky。Yes——hewasseennow。

Awoman”svoice，fromatop-storywindowacrossthestreet，screamedout，high-pitchedinexcitement：

“Thereheis！Thereheis！Ontheroofthere！“

JimmieDalestartedontherunalongtheroof。Thehouses，builtwalltowall，flat-roofed，seemedtoofferanopencourseaheadofhim——untilalaneoranintersectingstreetshouldbarhisway！Buttheywerenotquiteallonthesamelevel，though——thewallofthenexthouserosesuddenlybreasthighinfrontofhim。Heflunghimselfup，regainedhisfeet——andduckedinstantlybehindachimney。

Thecrackofarevolverechoedthroughthenight——abulletdrummedthroughtheair——theSkeeterandhisgangwereontheroofnow，dashingforward，firingastheyran。TwoshotsfromJimmieDale”sautomatic，inquicksuccessioncooledtheardouroftheirrush——andtheybroke，black，flittingforms，fortheshelterofchimneys，too。

Andnowthewholeneighbourhoodseemedawakened。Adull-tonedroar，asfromsomegreatgulfbelow，rolledupfromthestreet，amedleyofslammingwindows，therushoffeetaspeoplepouredfromthehouses，cries，shouts，andyells——andhighoveralltheshrillcallofthepolice-patrolwhistle——andtheCRACK，CRACK，CRACKoftheSkeeter”srevolvershots——theSkeeterandhishellhoundsforonceself-appointedalliesofthelaw！

TwiceagainJimmieDalefired——thencrouching，runninglow，hezigzaggedhiswayacrossthenextroof。Thebulletsfollowedhim——

oncemorehispursuersdashedforward。AndagainJimmieDale，hisfacesetlikestonenow，hisbreathcominginhardgasps，dodgedbehindachimney，andwithhisguncheckedtheirrushforthethirdtime。

Heglancedabouthim——andwithagrowingsenseofdisastersawthattwohousesfartheronthestretchofroofappearedtoend。Therewouldbealaneorastreetthere！Andinanotherminuteortwo，ifitwerenotalreadythecase，otherswouldbefollowingthegunmentotheroof，andthenhewouldbe——hecaughthisbreathsuddenlyinaqueerlittlestrangledcryofrelief。Justbackofhim，afewyardsaway，hiseyesmadeoutwhat，inthedarkness，seemedtobeaglassskylight。

Adarkformspedlikeadeepershadowacrosstheblackinfrontofhim，makingforachimneynearerby，closingintherange。JimmieDalefired——wide。Tightaswasthecornerhewasin，littleaswasthemercydeservedathishands，hecouldnot，afterall，bringhimselftoshoot——tokill。

Avoice，theSkeeter”s，bawledoutraucously：

“Rushhimalltogether——fromdifferentsidesatonce！“

Abackwardleap！JimmieDale”sbootwascrashingglassandframe，stampingatitdesperately，makingaholeforhisbodythroughtheskylight。Ayell，achorusofthem，answeredthis——thenthecrunchofracingfeetonthegravelroof。Heemptiedhisrevolver，sweepingthedarknesswithasemicircleofviciousflashes。

Itseemedanhour——itwasbarelythefractionofasecond，ashehungbyhishandsfromthesideoftheskylightframe，hisbodyswingingbackandforthintheunknownblacknessbelow。Theskylightmightbe，probablywas，directlyoverthestairwell，andopencleartothebasementofthehouse——butitwashisonlychance。

Heswunghisbodywellout，letgo——anddropped。Withtheimpetushesmashedagainstawall，wasflungbackfromitinasortofrebound，andhishandsclosed，grippingfiercely，onbanisters。Ithadbeenthestairwellbeyondanyquestionofdoubt，buthisswinghadsenthimclearofit。

Above，theyhadnotyetreachedtheskylight。JimmieDalesnatchedapreciousmomenttolisten，asherose，andfoundhimself，apartfrombruises，perhapsunhurt。Therewascommotion，too，inthishousebelow，thealarmhadextendedandspreadalongtheblock——butthecommotionwasallintheFRONTofthehouse——thestreetwasthelure。

JimmieDalestarteddownthestairs，andinaninstanthehadgainedthelanding。Inanotherhehadslippedtotherearofthehall——

somewherethere，fromthehallitself，fromoneoftherearrooms，theremustbeanexittothefireescape。Toattempttoleavebythefrontwaywascertaincapture。

Theywereyelling，shoutingdownnowthroughthesky-lightabove，asJimmieDalesoftlyraisedthewindowsashattherearofthehall。

Thefireescapewasthere。Shoutsfromalongthecorridor，fromthetenementdwellerswhohadbeencrowdingtheirneighbours”rooms，craningtheirnecksprobablyfromthefrontwindows，answeredtheshoutsnowfromtheroofandtheskylight；doorsopened；formsrushedout——butitwasdarkinthecorridor，onlyamurkyyellowattheupperendfromtheopeneddoors。

JimmieDaleslippedthroughthewindowtothefireescape，and，workingcautiously，silently，butwiththespeedofatrainedathlete，madehiswaydown。Atthebottomhedroppedfromtheironplatformintothebackyard，ranforthefenceandclimbedoverintoalaneontheotherside。

Andthen，asheran，JimmieDalesnatchedthemaskfromhisfaceandputitinhispocket。Hewassafenow。Hesweptthesweatdropsfromhisforeheadwiththebackofhishand——noticingthemforthefirsttime。Ithadbeenclose——almostascloseforhimasithadbeenforoldLuddy。Andto-morrowthepaperswouldexecratetheGraySeal！Hesmiledalittlewanly。Hisbreathwasstillcominghard。Presentlytheywouldscourthelane——whentheyfoundthattheirquarrywasnotinthehouse。Whatarackettheyweremaking！

Thewholedistrictseemedrousedlikeaswarmofangrybees。

Hekeptonalongthelane——anddodgedsuddenlyintoacrossstreetwherethetwointersected。Theclangofabelldinneddiscordantlyinhisears——apatrolwagonsweptbyhim，racingforthesceneofthedisturbance——theriotcallwasout！

AgainJimmieDalesmiledwearily，passinghishandacrosshiseyes。

“Iguess，“saidJimmieDale，“I”mprettynearallin。AndIguessit”stimethatLarrytheBatwent——home。”

AndalittlelaterafigureturnedfromtheBoweryandshambleddownthecrossstreet，adisreputablefigure，withhandsplungeddeepinhispockets——andashadowacrosstheroadwaysuddenlyshifteditspositionastheshamblingfigureslouchedintotheblackalleywayandenteredthetenement”ssidedoor。

AndLarrytheBatsmiledsoftlytohimself——Kline”smenwerestillonguard！

CHAPTERVI

DEVIL”SWORK

Awhite-glovedarm，avoice，andasilverylaugh！“Justthat——nomore！JimmieDale，inhisfavouriteseat，anaisleseatsomesevenoreightrowsbackfromtheorchestra，staredatthestage，toalloutwardappearancesabsorbedinthelastactoftheplay；inwardly，quiteoblivioustothefactthatevenaplaywasgoingon。

Awhite-glovedarm，avoice，andasilverylaugh！Thewordshadformedthemselvesintoasortofsingsongrefrainthat，forthelastfewdays，hadbeenrunningthroughhishead。Astrangeenoughguidingstartomouldanddictateeveryactioninhislife！Andthatwasallhehadeverseenofher，allthathehadeverheardofher——exceptthoseletters，ofcourse，eachofwhichhadoutlinedthedetailsofsomeaffairfortheGraySealtoexecute。

Indeed，itseemedagreatlengthoftimenowsincehehadheardfromhereveninthatway，thoughitwasnotsomanydaysago，afterall。

Perhapsitwasthecalm，asitwere，that，bycontrast，hadgivenplacetothestrenuousmonthsandweeksjustpast。ThestormraisedbythenewspapersatthetheftofOldLuddy”sdiamondshadsubsidedintosporadicdiatribesaimedatthepolice；Kline，ofthesecretservice，hadfinallyadmitteddefeat，andashadownolongerskulkeddayandnightattheentrancetotheSanctuary——andLarrytheBatborethegovernmentindorsement，sotospeak，ofbeingnomoresuspiciousacharacterthanthatofadisreputable，butharmless，dopefiendoftheunderworld。

LarrytheBat！TheGraySeal！JimmieDalethemillionaire！Whatifitwereeverknownthatthatstrangethreewereone！Whatif——

JimmieDalesmiledwhimsically。Aburstofapplauseechoedthroughthehouse，theorchestrawasplaying，thelightswereon，seatsbanged，therewasthebustleoftherisingaudience，theplaywasatanend——andforthelifeofhimhecouldnothaverememberedasinglelineofthelastact！

Theaisleathiselbowwasalreadycrowdedwithpeopleontheirwayout。JimmieDalestoopeddownmechanicallytoreachforhishatbeneathhisseat——andthenextinstanthewasstandingup，staringwildlyintothefacesaroundhim。

Ithadfallenathisfeet——awhiteenvelope。Hers！Itwasinhishandnow，thoseslim，tapering，wonderfullysensitivefingersofJimmieDale，thatwerean“opensesame“tolocksandsafes，subconsciouslytelegraphingtohismindthefactthatthetextureofthepaper——washers。Hers！Andshemustbeoneofthosearoundhim——oneofthosecrowdingeithertherowofseatsinfrontorbehind，oroneofthosejustpassingintheaisle。Ithadfallenathisfeetashehadstoopedoverforhishat——butfromjustexactlywhatdirectionhecouldnottell。Hiseyes，eagerly，hungrily，critically，sweptfaceafterface。Whichonewashers？Whatirony！

She，whomhewouldhavegivenhislifetoknow，forwhomindeedheriskedhislifeeveryhourofthetwenty-four，wasclosetohimnow，withinreach——andasfarremovedasthoughathousandmilesseparatedthem。Shewasthere——buthecouldnotrecogniseafacethathehadneverseen！

Withaneffort，hechokedbackthebitter，impotentlaughthatrosetohislips。Theyweretalking，laughingaroundhim。HerVOICE——

yes，hehadonceheardthat，andthathewouldrecogniseagain。Hestrainedtocatch，toindividualisethetonesoundsthatfloatedinamedleyabouthim。Itwasuseless——ofcourse——everyeffortthathehadevermadetofindherhadbeenuseless。Shewastooclever，fartoocleverforthat——she，too，wouldknowthathecouldandwouldrecognisehervoicewherehecouldrecognisenothingelse。

Andthen，suddenly，herealisedthathewasattractingattention。

Levelstaresfromthewomenreturnedhisgaze，andtheyedgedawayalittlefromhisvicinityastheypassed，theirescortscrowdingsomewhatbelligerentlyintotheirplaces。Others，inthesamerowofseatsashisown，wereimpatientlywaitingtogetbyhim。Withamutteredapology，JimmieDaleraisedtheseatofhischair，allowingtheselattertopasshim——andthen，slippingtheletterintohispocketbook，hesnatcheduphishatfromtheseatrack。

Therewasstillachance。Knowinghewasthere，shewouldbeonherguard；butinthelobby，amongthecrowdandunawareofhispresence，therewasthepossibilitythat，ifhecouldreachtheentranceaheadofher，she，too，mightbetalkingandlaughingassheleftthetheatre。Justasingleword，justatone——thatwasallheasked。

Therowofseatsatwhoseendhestoodwasemptynow，and，insteadofsteppingintothethrongedaisle，hemadehiswayacrosstotheoppositesideofthetheatre。Here，thefaraislewaslesscrowded，andinaminutehehadgainedthefoyer，confidentthathewasnowinadvanceofher。Thenextmomenthewaslostinajamofpeopleinthelobby。

Hemovedslowlynow，veryslowly——allowingthosebehindtopressbyhimonthewaytotheentrance。Ababelofvoicesroseabouthim，as，tight-packed，themassofpeoplejostled，elbowed，andpushedgood-naturedly。Itwasavoicenow，hervoice，thathewaslisteningfor；but，thoughitseemedthateveryfacultywasstrainedandintentuponthatoneeffort，hiseyes，too，hadinnodegreerelaxedtheirvigilance——andonce，halfgrimly，halfsardonically，hesmiledtohimself。Therewouldbeanunexpectedaftermathtothisexodusofexpensivelygownedandbejewelledwomenwiththeirprosperous，well-groomedescorts！TherewastheWowzeroverthere——

sleek，dapper，squirminginandoutofthethrongwiththeagilityandstealthofacat。AsLarrytheBathehadmettheWowzermanytimes，asindeedhehadmetandwasacquaintedwithmostoftheeliteoftheunderworld。TheWowzer，beyondashadowofdoubt，inhisownprofessionstooduponaplaneentirelybyhimself——amongthosequalifiedtospeak，nooneyethadeverquestionedtheWowzer”sclaimtothedistinctionofbeingthemostdexterousandfinished“pokegetter“intheUnitedStates！

Thecrowdthinnedinthelobby，thinneddowntothelastfewbelatedstragglers，whopassedhimashestillloiteredintheentrance；andthenJimmieDale，withashrugofhisshouldersthatwasagreatdealmorephilosophicalthanthemaddeningsenseofchagrinanddisappointmentthatburnedwithinhim，steppedouttothepavementandheadeddownBroadway。Afterall，hehadknownitinhisheartofheartsallthetime——ithadalwaysbeenthesame——itwasonlyonemoreoccasionaddedtotheinnumerableonesthathadgonebeforeinwhichshehadeludedhim！

Andnow——therewastheletter！Automaticallyhequickenedhisstepsalittle。Itwasuseless，futile，profitless，forthemoment，atleast，todisturbhimselfoverhisfailure——therewastheletter！

Hislipspartedinastrange，half-serious，half-speculativesmile。

Theletter——thatwasparamountnow。Whatnewventuredidthenightholdinstoreforhim？WhatsuddenemergencywastheGraySealcalledupontofacethistime——whatrole，unrehearsed，withoutwarning，mustheplay？Whatstoryofgrim，desperaterascalitywouldthepaperscredithimwithwhendaylightcame？OrwouldtheycarryinscreamingheadlinestheannouncementthattheGraySealwascagedandcaughtatlast，andinthree-inchtypetelltheworldthattheGraySealwas——JimmieDale！

Ablockdown，heturnedfromBroadwayoutofthetheatrecrowdsthatstreamedinbothdirectionspasthim。Theletter！Almostfeverishlynowhewasseekinganopportunitytoopenandreaditunobserved；aneagernessuponhimthatmingledexhilarationatthelureofdangerwithasenseofpremonitionthat，irritably，inevitablywaswithhimatmomentssuchasthese。Itseemed，italwaysseemed，that，withanunopenedletterofhersinhispossession，itwasasthoughhewereabouttoopenapageintheBookofFateandread，asitwere，apronouncementuponhimselfthatmightmeanlifeordeath。

Hehurriedon。Peoplestillpassedbyhim——toomany。Andthenacafe，justahead，makingacorner，gavehimtheopportunitythathesought。Awayfromtheentrance，onthesidestreet，thebrilliantlightsfromthewindowsshoneoutonacomparativelydesertedpavement。Therewasamplelighttoreadby，evenasfarawayfromthewindowasthecurb，andJimmieDale，withanapprovingnod，turnedthecornerandwalkedalongafewstepsuntiloppositethefarthestwindow——but，ashehaltedhereattheedgeofthestreet，heglancedquicklybehindhimatamanwhomhehadjustpassed。Theotherhadpausedatthecornerandwasstaringdownthestreet。

JimmieDaleinstantlyandnonchalantlyproducedhiscigarettecase，selectedacigarette，andfastidiouslytappeditsendonhisthumbnail。

“InspectorBurtoninplainclothes，“heobservedmusinglytohimself。“Iwonderifit”sjustafluke——orsomethingelse？We”llsee。”

JimmieDaletookaboxofmatchesfromhispocket。Thefirstwouldnotlight。Thesecondbroke，and，withanexclamationofannoyance，heflungitaway。Thethirdwasmakingafitfuleffortatlife，asanothermanemergedhastilyfromthecafe”ssidedoor，hurriedtothecorner，joinedthemanwhowasstillloiteringthere，andbothtogetherdisappearedatarapidpacedownthestreet。

JimmieDalewhistledsoftlytohimself。Thesecondmanwasevenbetterknownthanthefirst；therewasnotacrookinNewYorkbutwouldside-stepLanniganofheadquarters，anddoitwithamazingcelerity——ifhecould！

“Somethingup！Butit”snotmyhunt！“mutteredJimmieDale；then，withashrugofhisshoulders：“QueerthewaythoseheadquarterschapsfascinateandgivemeathrilleverytimeIseethem，evenifIhaven”taghostofareasonforimaginingthat”

Thesentencewasneverfinished。JimmieDale”sfacewasgray。Thestreetseemedtorockabouthim——andhestared，likeamanstricken，whitetothelips，aheadofhim。THELETTERWASGONE！Hishand，wrigglingfromhisemptypocket，sweptawaythesweatbeadsthatwereburstingfromhisforehead。Ithadcomeatlast——thepitcherhadgoneoncetoooftentothewell！

Numbedforaninstant，hisbrainclearednow，workingwithlightningspeed，leapingfrompremisetoconclusion。Thecrushinthetheatrelobby——thepushing，thejostling，theclosecontact——theWowzer，theslickest，cleverestpickpocketintheUnitedStates！Foramomenthecouldhavelaughedaloudinasortofghastly，defiantmockery——

hehimselfhadpredictedanunexpectedaftermath，hadhenot！

Aftermath！Itwas——theEND！Anhour，twohours，andNewYorkwouldbemetamorphosedintoaseethingcaldronofhumanitybubblingwiththenews。Itseemedthathecouldhearthescreamsofthenewsboysnowshoutingtheirextras；itseemedthathecouldseethepeople，rousedtofrenzy，swarminginexcitedcrowds，snatchingatthepapers；heseemedtohearthemob”sshoutsswellinexecration，inexultation——itseemedasthoughallaroundhimhadgonemad。ThemysteryoftheGraySealwassolved！ItwasJimmieDale，JimmieDale，Jimmie，Dale，themillionaire，thelionofsociety——andtherewasignominyforanhonouredname，andshameanddisasterandconvictstripesandsullenpenitentiarywalls——ordeath！Afelon”sdeath——thechair！

Hewasrunningnow，hishandsclenchedathissides；hismind，workingsubconsciously，urginghimonwardinablind，asyetunrealised，objectlessway。Andthengraduallyimpulsegavewaytocalmerreason，andheslowedhispacetoaquick，lessnoticeablewalk。TheWowzer！Thatwasit！Therewasyetachance——theWowzer！Amercilessrage，cold，deadly，settleduponhim。ItwastheWowzerwhohadstolenhispocketbook，andwithittheletter。

Therecouldbenodoubtofthat。Well，therewouldbeareckoningatleastbeforetheend！

Hewasinadowntownsubwaytrainnow——theroarinhisearsinconsonance，itseemed，withtheturmoilinhisbrain。Butnow，too，hewasJimmieDaleagain；and，apartfromtheslightlyoutthrustjaw，thetight-closedlips，impassive，debonair，composed。

Therewasyetachance。AsLarrytheBathekneweverydenandlairbelowthedeadline，andheknew，too，theWowzer”sfavouritehaunts。Therewasyetachance，onlyoneinathousand，itwastrue，almosttoopitifultobedependedupon——butyetachance。TheWowzerhadprobablynotworkedalone，andheandhispal，orpals，wouldcertainlynotremainuptowneithertoexamineordividetheirspoils——theywouldwaituntiltheyweresafesomewhereinoneoftheirhellholesontheEastSide。IfhecouldfindtheWowzer，reachthemanBEFORETHELETTERWASOPENED——JimmieDale”slipsgrewtighter。THATwasthechance！Ithefailedinthat——JimmieDale”slipsdroopeddownwardingrimcurvesatthecorners。Achance！

AlreadytheWowzerhadatleastahalfhour”slead，and，worsestill，therewasnotellingwhichoneofadozenplacesthemanmighthavechosentoretreattowithhisloot。

Timepassed。Hismindobsessed，JimmieDale”sphysicalactswerealmostwhollymechanical。Itwasperhapsfifteenminutessincehehaddiscoveredthelossoftheletter，andhewaswalkingnowthroughtheheartoftheBowery。Exactlyhowhehadgottherehecouldnothavetold；hehadonlyavaguerealisationthat，followinganintuitivesenseofdirection，hehadlostnotasecondoftimeinmakinghiswaydowntown。

Andnowhefoundhimselfhesitatingatthecornerofacrossstreet。

Twoblockseastwasthatdark，narrowalleyway，thatsidedoorthatmadetheentrancetotheSanctuary。Itwouldbesafer，ahundredtimessafer，togothere，changehisclothesandhispersonality，andemergeagainasLarrytheBat——infinitelysaferinthatroletoexplorethedensoftheunderworld，manyofthemindeedunknownandundreamedofbythepolicethemselves，thantotrusthimselfthereinwell-cut，fashionabletweeds——butthatwouldtaketime。Time！

When，witheverysecond，theonechancehehad，desperateasthatalreadywas，wasslippingawayfromhim。No；whatwasapparentlythegreaterriskatleastheldouttheonlyhope。

Hewentonagain——hisbrainincessantlyatwork。Attheworst，therewasonemitigatingfactorinitall。Hehadnoneedtothinkofher。Whatevertheruinanddisasterthatfacedhiminthenextfewhours，sheinanycasewassafe。TherewasnoclewtoHER

identityintheletter；andwherehe，formonthsonend，withevenmoretoworkupon，hadfailedateveryturntotraceher，therewaslittlefearthatanyoneelsewouldhaveanybettersuccess。Shewassafe。Asforhimself——thatwasdifferent。TheGraySealwouldbereferredtointheletter，therewouldbetheoutline，thedataforthe“crime“shehadplannedforthatnight；andtheletter，thoughunaddressed，beingfoundinhispocketbook，wherecardsandnotesandadozendifferentthingsamongitscontentsproclaimedhimJimmieDale，needednofurtherevidenceastoitsownershipnortheidentityoftheGraySeal。

JimmieDale”sfingerscreptinsidehisvestandfumbledthereforamoment——andadiamondstud，extractedfromhisshirtfront，glistenedsportivelyinthenecktiethatwasnowtuckedjauntilyinatonesideofhisshirtbosom。HehadreachedtheBlueDragon，oneofWowzer”susualhangouts，and，swervingfromthesidewalk，enteredtheplace。Therewaswildtumultwithin——aconstantstormofapplause，derision，andhilaritythatwashurledfromthetablesaroundtheroomattheturkey-trotting，tango-writhingcouplesonthesomewhatrestrictedspaceofpolishedhardwoodflooringinthecentre。JimmieDaleswaggereddowntheroom，acigartiltedupatananglebetweenhisteeth，hissoftfelthatalittlerakishlyononesideofhisheadandwelloverhisnose。

Attheendoftheroom，atthebar，JimmieDaleleanedtowardthebarkeeperandtalkedoutofthecornerofhismouth。Therewereprivateroomsupstairs，andhejerkedhisheadsurreptitiouslyceilingward。

“Say，isdeWowzerupdere？“heinquiredinacautiouswhisper。

Themanbehindthebar，wellknowntoJimmieDaleasoneoftheWowzer”sparticularpals，favouredhimwithablankstare。

“Neverheardofdeguy！“heannouncedbrusquely。“Wot”syours？“

“Gimmeamugofsuds，“saidJimmieDale，reachingforamatch。Hepuffedathiscigar，blewoutthematch，and，afteramoment，flungthecharredendaway——butonhishand，as，palmoutward，heraisedittotakehisglass，thematchhadtracedasmallblackcross。

Thebarkeeperputdownthebeerhehadjustdrawn，wipedhishandhurriedly，andwithsuddenenthusiasmthrustitacrossthebar。

“Gladtoknowyouse，cull！“heexclaimed。“Wot”sdelay？“

JimmieDalesmiled。

“Nix！“saidJimmieDale。“IjustblewinfromChicago。UsedtoknowdeWowzerdere。Hesaiddisplacewasondelevel，an”Icouldalwaysfindhimhere，dat”sall。”

“Sure，yousecan！“returnedthebarkeeperheartily。“Onlyheain”therenow。Hebeatitaboutfifteenminutesago，himan”DagoJim。

Iguessyouse”llfindhimatChang”s，Iheardhiman”Dagosaydeywasgoin”dere。Knowdeplace？“

JimmieDaleshookhishead。

“Iain”tmuchwisetoNewYork，“heexplained。

“Aw，dat”seasy，“whisperedthebarkeeper。“GodowntoChathamSquare，an”denanyguy”llshowyouseChangFoo”s。”Hewinkedconfidentially。“Iguessyousewon”tbumpyerheadnonegettin”

aroundinside。”

JimmieDalenodded，grinnedback，emptiedhisglass，anddugforacoin。

“Forgetit！“observedthebarkeepercordially。“Disisonme。AnyfriendofdeWowzer”sgetsdegladhandhereanytime。”

“T”anks！“saidJimmieDalegratefully，asheturnedaway。“Solong，then——seeyouselater。”

ChangFoo”s！JimmieDale”sfacesetevenalittleharderthanithadbefore，asheswungonagaindowntheBowery。Yes；heknewChangFoo”s——toowell。UndergroundChinatown——whereaman”slifewasworththepriceofanopiumpill——orless！Mechanicallyhishandslippedintohispocketandclosedovertheautomaticthatnestledthere。Oncein——wherehehadtogo——andthechanceswereeven，justeven，thatwasall，thathewouldevergetout。AgainhewastemptedtoreturntotheSanctuaryandmaketheattemptasLarrytheBat。LarrytheBatwaswellenoughknowntoenterChangFoo”sunquestioned，and——butagainheshookhisheadandwenton。Therewasnottime。TheWowzerandhispal——itwasDagoJimitseemed——

hadevidentlybeendrinkingandloiteringtheirwaydowntownfromthetheatre，andhehadgainedthatmuchonthem；butbynowtheywouldbesmuglytuckedawaysomewhereinthatmazeofdensbelowtheground，andatthatmomentprobablyweregloatingoverthebiggestnight”shaultheyhadevermadeintheirlives！

Andiftheywere！Whatthen？Oncetheyknewthecontentsofthatletter——whatthen？BuythemoffforalargeramountthanthemanythousandsofferedforthecaptureoftheGraySeal？JimmieDalegrittedhisteeth。Thatmeantblackmailfromthemallhislife，anintolerableexistence，impossible，ahellonearth——theslave，atthebeckandcalloftwooftheworstcriminalsinNewYork！ThemoistureoozedagaintoJimmieDale”sforehead。God，ifhecouldgetthatletterbeforeitwasopened——beforetheyKNEW！Ifhecouldonlygetthechancetofightforit——againstANYodds！Life！Lifewasapitifulconsiderationagainstthealternativethatfacedhimnow！

FromtheBlueDragontoChangFoo”swasnotfar；andJimmieDalecoveredthedistanceinwellunderfiveminutes。ChangFoo”swasjustateamerchant”sshop，innocuousandinnocentenoughinitsappearance，blandlysoindeed，andthatwasall——outwardly；butJimmieDale，ashereachedhisdestination，experiencedthefirstsensationofuplifthehadknownthatnight，andthisfromwhat，apparently，didnotintheleastseemlikeacontributingcause。

“Luck！Theblessedluckofit！“hemutteredgrimly，ashesurveyedthesight-seeingcardrawnupatthecurb，andwatchedthepassengerscrowdingoutofittotheground。“Itwouldn”thavebeenaseasytofoololdChangasitwasthatfellowbackattheDragon——

and，besides，ifIcanworkit，there”sabetterchancethiswayofgettingoutalive。”

Theguidewasmarshallinghis“gapers“——sometwodozeninall，menandwomen。JimmieDaleunostentatiouslyfellinattherear；and，theguideleading，thelittlecrowdpassedintotheteamerchant”sshop。ChangFoo，awizened，wrinkled-facedlittleCelestial，oily，suave，greetedthemwithprofusebows，chatteringthewhilevolublyinChinese。

Theguidemadetheintroductionwithanall-embracingsweepofhishand。

“ChangFoo——ladiesandgentlemen，“heannounced；thenhelduphishandforsilence。“Ladiesandgentlemen，“hesaidimpressively，“thisisoneofthemostnotorious，ifnotTHEmostnotoriousdiveinChinatown，anditisonlythroughspecialarrangementwiththeauthoritiesandatgreatexpensethatthecompanyisableexclusivelytogainanentreehereforitspatrons。YouwillseeherethereallifeoftheChinese，andinhalfanhouryouwillgetwhatfewwouldgetinalifetimespentinChinaitself。YouwillseetheChinesechildrendanceandperform；theChinesewomenattheirhouseholdtasks；thejoss，theshrineofhishallowedancestors，atwhichChangFoohereworships；andyouwillenterthemostfamousopiumdenintheUnitedStates。Now，ifyouwillallkeepclosetogether，wewillmakeastart。”

Inspiteofhisdesperatesituation，JimmieDalesmiledalittlewhimsically。Yes；theywouldseeitall——UPSTAIRS！Thesameoldbunkdishedoutnightafternightatsomuchahead——andthenervouslittleschoolma”amofuncertainage，whofidgetednowbesidehim，wouldgobacksomewheredowninMaineandshiverwhilesherelatedher“widerexperiences“intremulouswhispersintotheshockedearsofenviousothermaidenladiesofequallyuncertainage。Thesameoldbunk——andaprofitableoneforChangFooformorereasonsthanone。Itwasdustintheeyesofthepolice。ThepolicesmiledknowinglyatmentionofChangFoo。Whoshouldknow，iftheydidn”t，thatitwasallharmlessfake，allbunk！Andsoitwas——UPSTAIRS！

Theywerepassingoutoftheshopnow，bowedoutthroughasidedoorbytheobsequiousandoilyChangFoo。Andnowtheymassedagaininasortoflittlehallway——andChangFoo，closingthedooruponJimmieDale，whowasthelastintheline，shuffledbackbehindthecounterinhisshoptoresumehisguarddutyovercustomersofquiteanotherilk。Withthedoorclosed，itwasdark，pitchdark。Andthis，too，likeeverythingelseconnectedwithChangFoo”sestablishment，formorereasonsthanone——foreffect——andforsecurity。Nervouslittletwittersbegantoemanatefromthewomen——

theguide”svoicerosereassuringly：

“Keepclosetogether，ladiesandgentlemen。Wearegoingupstairsnowto”

JimmieDalehuggedbackagainstthewall，sidledalongit，andlikeashadowslippeddowntotheendofthehall。Thescufflingoftwodozenpairsoffeetmountingthecreakystaircasedrownedtheslightsoundashecautiouslyopenedadoor；thedarknesslayblack，impenetrable，alongthehall。Andthen，ascautiouslyashehadopenedit，heclosedthedoorbehindhim，andstoodforaninstantlisteningattheheadofaladder-likestairway，hisautomaticinhishandnow。ItwasfamiliargroundtoLarrytheBat。Thestepsleddowntoacellar；anddiagonallyacrossfromthefootofthestepswasanopening，ingeniouslyhiddenbyaheterogeneouscollectionofoddsandends，boxes，cases，andrubbishfromthepseudoteashopabove；alowopeninginthewalltoapassagethatledonthroughthecellarsofperhapshalfadozenadjoininghouses，eachofwhichlatterwasleased，inonenameoranother——byChangFoo。

JimmieDalecreptdownthesteps，andinanothermomenthadgainedthefarthersideofthecellar；then，skirtingaroundtheruckofcases，hestoopedsuddenlyandpassedinthroughtheopeninginthewall。Andnowhehaltedoncemore。Hewasstraininghiseyesdownalong，narrowpassage，whoseblacknesswasaccentuatedratherthanrelievedbycuriouswavering，gossamerthreadsofyellowlightthatshowedhereandtherefromundermakeshiftthresholds，fromdoorsslightlyajar。Faintnoisescametohim，amuffled，intermittentclinkofcoin，alow，continuous，droninghumofvoices；thesicklysweetsmellofopiumprickedathisnostrils。

JimmieDale”sfacesetrigidly。Itwastheresort，notonlyofthemostdepravedChineseelement，butoftheworst“white“thugsthatmadeNewYorktheirheadquarters——here，inthesuccessionofcellars，roughlypartitionedofftomakeadozenroomsoneithersideofthepassage，dopefiendssuckedatthedrug，andChinesegamblersspentthegreaterpartoftheirlives；here，murderwashatchedandplayedtoooftentoitshellishend；here，thescumoftheunderworldsoughtrefugefromthepolicetotheprofitofChangFoo；andhere，somewhere，inoneoftheserooms，was——theWowzer。

TheWowzer！JimmieDalestoleforwardsilently，withoutasound，swiftly——pausingonlytolistenforasecond”sspaceatthedoorsashepassed。Fromthisonecamethatclinkofcoin；fromanotherthatjabberofChinese；fromstillanotherthatoverpoweringstenchofopium——andonce，iron-nervedashewas，acoldthrillpassedoverhim。Letthislairofhell”swolves，sointentnowontheirownaffairs，beonceroused，astheycertainlymustberousedbeforehecouldhopetofinishtheWowzer，andhischancesofescapewere——

Hestraightenedsuddenly，alert，tense，strained。Voices，raisedinafuriousquarrel，camefromadoorjustbeyondhimontheothersideofthepassage，whereafilmoflightstreamedoutthroughacrackedpanel——itwastheWowzerandDagoJim！Anddrunk，bothofthem——andbothinablindfury！

Ithappenedquickthen，almostinstantaneouslyitseemedtoJimmieDale。Hewascrouchednowcloseagainstthedoor，hiseyetothecrackinthepanel。Therewasonlyonefigureinsight——DagoJim——

standingbesideatableonwhichburnedalamp，thetabletoplitteredwithwatches，purses，andsmallchatelainebags。Themanwaslurchingunsteadilyonhisfeet，avicioussneeroftriumphonhisface，wavingtauntinglyanopenletterandJimmieDale”spocket-

bookinhishands——wavingthempresumablyinthefaceoftheWowzer，whom，fromtherestrictionsofthecrack，JimmieDalecouldnotsee。

Hewasconsciousofasickeningsenseofdisaster。Hishopeagainsthopehadbeeninvain——theletterhadbeenopenedandread——THE

IDENTITYOFTHEGRAYSEALWASSOLVED。

DagoJim”svoiceroaredout，hoarse，blasphemous，indrunkenrage：

“DeGraySeal——see！YousebetcherlifeIknows！Ibeenwaitin”fersomet”inglikedis，damnyouse！Yousebeenstallin”onmeferayeareverytimeitcametoadivvy。Youse”vegotapocketfulnowyousesnitchedto-nightdatyousearetryin”todomeoutof。Well，keep”em“——heshovedhisfaceforward。“Ikeepsdis——see！Keep”emWowzer，yousecross-eyed”

“Everyt”ingIpinchedto-night”sondetablederewidwotyousepinchedyerself，“cutintheWowzer，inasullen，threateninggrowl。

“Youselie，an”youseknowsit！“retortedDagoJim。“Yousehavegivenmedeshortendeverytimewe”vepulledadeal！“

“Datletter”smine，youse”bawledtheWowzerfuriously。

“Whydidn”tyouseopenitan”readit，den，insteadoflettin”medoittokeepmebusywhileyouseshort-changedme？“sneeredDagoJim。

“Youset”oughtitwassomesweetbilly-doo，eh？Well，t”anks，Wowzer——dat”swotitis！Say，“hemocked，“dere”saguy”llcashat”ousandcenturynotesferdis，an”ifhedon”t——say，dere”sSOME

rewardoutfertheGraySeal！Wouldn”tyouseliketoknowwhoitis？Well，whenI”mridin”inmeprivatebuzzwagon，Wowzer，yousestickaroundan”mabbeI”lltellyouse——an”mabbeIwon”t！“

“ByGod“——theWowzer”svoiceroseinascream”yousehandoverdatletter！“

“Yousegoto”

Red，luridred，astreamofflameseemedtocutacrossJimmieDale”slineofvision，cametheroarofarevolvershot——andlikeamadmanJimmieDaleflunghisbodyatthedoor。Ricketyatbest，itcrashedinward，halfwrenchedfromitshinges，precipitatinghiminside。Herecoveredhimselfandleapedforward。Theroomwasswirlingwithblueeddiesofsmoke；DagoJim，handsflungup，stillgraspingletterandpocketbook，pawedattheair——andplungedwithasagginglurchfacedownwardtothefloor。TherewasayellandanoathfromtheWowzer——thecrackofanotherrevolvershot，thehumofthebulletpastJimmieDale”sear，thescorchofthetongueflameinhisface，andhewasupontheother。

Screechingprofanity，theWowzergrappled；and，foraninstant，thetwomenrocked，reeled，andswayedineachother”sembrace；then，bothmenlosingtheirbalance，theyshotsuddenlybackward，theWowzer，undermost，strikinghisheadagainstthetable”sedge——andmen，table，andlampcrasheddownwardinaheaptothefloor。

Ithadbeennomore，atmost，thanamatterofsecondssinceJimmieDalehadhurledhimselfintotheroom；andnow，withagurglingsigh，theWowzer”sarms，thathadbeenwoundaroundJimmieDale”sbackandshoulders，relaxed，and，fromtheblowonhisheadtheman，laybackinertandstunned。AndthenitseemedtoJimmieDaleasthoughpandemonium，unreality，andchaosatthetouchofsomedevil”shandreignedaroundhim。Itwasdark——no，notdark——aspurtofflamewasleapingalongthelineoftricklingoilfromthebrokenlamponthefloor。ItthrewintoghastlyreliefthesprawledformofDagoJim。Outside，fromalongthepassageway，cameaconfusedjangleofcommotion——whisperingvoices，shufflingfeet，theswishofChinesegarments。Andtheroomitselfbegantospringintoweird，flickeringshadows，thatmountedandcreptupthewallswiththespreadingfire。

Therewasnotasecondtolosebeforetheroomwouldbeswarmingwiththatrushfromthepassageway——andtherewasstilltheletter，thepocketbook！ThetablehadfallenhalfoverDagoJim——JimmieDalepusheditaside，torethecrushedletterandthepocketbookfromtheman”shands——andfelt，withagrim，horriblesortofanxiety，fortheother”sheartbeat，fortheverdictthatmeantlifeordeathtohimself。Therewasnosignoflife——themanwasdead。

JimmieDalewasonhisfeetnow。Aface，another，andanothershowedinthedoorway——theWowzerwasregaininghissenses，stumblingtohisknees。Therewasonechance——justone——totakethosecrowdingfiguresbysurprise。Andwithayellof“Fire！“

JimmieDalesprangforthedoorway。

Theygavewaybeforehisrush，tumblingbackintheirsurpriseagainsttheoppositewall；and，turning，JimmieDaleraceddownthepassageway。Doorswereopeningeverywherenow，formswerepushingoutintothesemi-darkness——onlytoduckhastilybackagain，asJimmieDale”sautomaticbarkedandspatarunningfireofwarningaheadofhim。Andthen，behind，theWowzer”svoiceshriekedout：

“Soakhim！Killdeguy！He”scroakedDagoJim！Putaholeinhim，de”

Yells，achorusofthem，tookuptherefrain——thentherushoffollowingfeet——andthepassagewayseemedtoracketasthoughaGatlinggunwereinplaywiththefusilladeofrevolvershots。ButJimmieDalewasattheopeningnow——and，likeabaserunnerplungingforthebag，heflunghimselfinalowdivethroughandintotheopencellarbeyond。Hewasonhisfeet，overtheboxes，anddashingupthestairsinasecond。Thedooraboveopenedashereachedthetop——JimmieDale”srighthandshotoutwithclubbedrevolver——andwithagruntChangFoowentdownbeforetheblowandtheheadlongrush。ThenextinstantJimmieDalehadsprungthroughtheteashopandwasoutonthestreet。

Aminute，twominutesmore，andChinatownwouldbeinanuproar——

ChangFoowouldseetothat——andtheWowzerwouldprodhimon。Thedangerwasfarfromoveryet。Andthen，asheran，JimmieDalegavealittlegaspofrelief。Justahead，drawnupatthecurb，stoodataxicab——waiting，probably，foraprivateslummingparty。JimmieDaleputonaspurt，reachedit，andwrenchedthedooropen。

“Quick！“heflungatthestartledchauffeur。“Thenearestsubwaystation——there”saten-spotinitforyou！Quickman——QUICK！Heretheycome！“

AcrowdofChinese，pouringlikeangryhornetsfromChangFoo”sshop，cameyellingdownthestreet——andthetaxitookthecornerontwowheels——andJimmieDale，panting，chokingforhisbreathlikeamanspent，sankbackagainstthecushions。

ButfiveminuteslateritwasquiteanotherJimmieDale，composed，nonchalant，imperturbable，whoenteredanup-townsubwaytrain，and，choosingaseatalonenearthecentreofthecar，whichatthathourofnightinthedowntowndistrictwasalmostdeserted，tookthecrushedletterfromhispocket。Foramomenthemadenoattempttoreadit，hisdarkeyes，nowthathewasfreefromobservation，fulloftroubledretrospect，fixedonthewindowathisside。Itwasnotapleasantthoughtthatithadcostamanhislife，noryetthatthatlifewasalsothepriceofhisownfreedom。True，ifthereweretwomeninthecityofNewYorkwhosecrimesmeritedneithersympathynormercy，thosetwomenweretheWowzerandDagoJim——butyet，afterall，itwasahumanlife，and，evenifhisownhadbeeninthebalance，thankGodithadbeenthroughnoactofhisthatDagoJimhadgoneout！TheWowzer，cuteandcunning，hadbeenquickenoughtosaysotoclearhimself，but——JimmieDalesmiledalittlenow——neithertheWowzer，norChangFoo，norChinatownwouldeverbeinapositiontorecognisetheiruninvitedguest！

JimmieDale”seyesshiftedtotheletterspeculatively，gravely。Itseemedasthoughthenighthadalreadyheldayearofhappenings，andthenightwasnotoveryet——therewastheletter！Ithadalreadycostonelife；wasittocostanother——orwhat？

Itbeganasitalwaysdid。Hereaditthroughonce，inamazement；asecondtime，withaflushofbitterangercreepingtohischeeks；

andathirdtime，curiouslymemorising，asitwere，snatchesofithereandthere。

“DEARPHILANTHROPICCROOK：RobberyofHudson-MercantileNationalBank——trustedemployeeisex-convict，badpolicerecord，servedterminSingSingthreeyearsago——knowntopoliceasBookkeeperBob，realnameisRobertMoyne，livesat——Street，Harlem——InspectorBurtonandLanniganofheadquarterstrailinghimnow——robberynotyetmadepublic”

Therewasagreatdealmore——foursheetsofcloselywrittendata。

Withanexclamationalmostofdismay，JimmieDalepulledouthiswatch。SothatwaswhatBurtonandLanniganwereupto！Andhehadactuallyrunintothem！Lord，theironyofit！The——AndthenJimmieDalestaredatthedialofhiswatchincredulously。Itwasstillbutbarelymidnight！Itseemedimpossiblethatsinceleavingthetheatreatafewminutesbeforeeleven，hehadlivedthroughbutasinglehour！

JimmieDale”sfingersbegantopluckattheletter，tearingitintopieces，tearingthepiecesoverandoveragainintotinyshreds。

Thetrainstoppedatstationafterstation，peoplegotonandoff——

JimmieDale”shatwasoverhiseyes，andhiseyesweregluedagaintothewindow。HadBookkeeperBobreturnedtohisflatinHarlemwiththedetectivesathisheels——orwereBurtonandLanniganstilltrailingthemandowntownsomewherearoundthecafe”s？Iftheformer，thetheftoftheletteranditsincidentlossoftimehadbeenanirreparabledisaster；ifthelatter——well，whoknew！TheriskwastheGraySeal”s！

AtOneHundredandTwenty-FifthStreetJimmieDaleleftthetrain；

and，attheendofasharpfourminutes”walk，duringwhichhehaddodgedinandoutfromstreettostreet，stoppedonacornertosurveytheblockaheadofhim。Itwasablockdevotedexclusivelytoflatsandapartmenthouses，and，apartfromafewbelatedpedestrians，wasdeserted。JimmieDalestrolledleisurelydownoneside，crossedthestreetattheendoftheblock，andstrolledleisurelybackontheotherside——therewasnosignofeitherBurtonorLannigan。ItwasafairlysafepresumptionthenthatBookkeeperBobhadnotreturnedyet，oroneofthedetectivesatleastwouldhavebeenshadowingthehouse。

JimmieDale，smilingalittlegrimly，retracedhisstepsagain，andturneddeliberatelyintoadoorway——whosenumberhehadnotedashehadpassedamomentorsobefore。So，afterall，therewastimeyet！Thiswasthehouse。“Numbereighteen，“shehadsaidinherletter。“Aflat——threestories——Moynelivesongroundfloor。”

JimmieDaleleanedagainstthevestibuledoor——therewasafaintclick——alittlesteelinstrumentwaswithdrawnfromthelock——andJimmieDalesteppedintothehall，whereagasjet，turneddown，burneddimly。

Thedooroftheground-floorapartmentwasathisright，JimmieDalereachedupandturnedoffthelight。Againthoseslim，tapering，wonderfullysensitivefingersworkedwiththelittlesteelinstrument，thistimeinthelockoftheapartmentdoor——againtherewasthatalmostinaudibleclick——andthencautiously，inchbyinch，thedooropenedunderhishand。Hepeeredinside——downahallwaylighted，ifitcouldbecalledlightedatall，byasubduedglowfromtwoopendoorsthatgaveuponit——peeredintently，listeningintently，ashedrewablacksilkmaskfromhispocketandslippeditoverhisface。Andthen，silentasashadowinhismovements，thedoorleftjustajarbehindhim，hestoledownthecarpetedhallway。

OppositethefirstoftheopendoorwaysJimmieDalepaused——acuriouslyhardexpressioncreepingoverhisface，hislipsbeginningtodroopominouslydownwardatthecorners。Itwasalittlesittingroom，cheaplybuttastefullyfurnished，andayoungwoman，BookkeeperBob”swifeevidently，andevidentlysittingupforherhusband，hadfallensoundasleepinachair，herheadpillowedonherarmsthatwereoutstretchedacrossthetable。ForamomentJimmieDaleheldthere，hiseyesonthescene——andthenextmoment，hishandcurvedintoaclenchedfist，hehadpassedonandenteredtheadjoiningroom。

Itwasachild”sbedroom。Anightlampburnedonatablebesidethebed，andthesoftraysseemedtoplayandlingerincaressonthetousledgoldenhairofalittlegirlofperhapstwoyearsofage——

andsomethingseemedtochokesuddenlyinJimmieDale”sthroat——thesweet，innocentlittleface，upturnedtohis，wassmilingathimassheslept。

JimmieDaleturnedawayhishead——hiseyelasheswetunderhismask。

“BENEATHTHEMATTRESSOFTHECHILD”SBED，“theletterhadsaid。Hisfacelikestone，hislipsathinlinenow，JimmieDale”shandreacheddeftlyinwithoutdisturbingthechildandtookoutapackage——andthenanother。Hestraightenedup，abundleofcrispnewhundred-dollarnotesineachhand——andonthetopofone，slippedundertheelasticbandthatheldthebillstogether，anunsealedenvelope。Hedrewoutthelatter，andopenedit——itwasasecond-classsteamshippassagetoVeraCruz，madeoutinafictitiousname，ofcourse，toJohnDavies，thebookingfornextday”ssailing。Fromtheticket，fromthestolenmoney，JimmieDale”seyesliftedtorestagainonthelittlegoldenhead，thesmilinglips——andthen，droppingthepackagesintohispockets，hisownlipsmovingqueerly，heturnedabruptlytothedoor。

“MyGod，theshameofit！“hewhisperedtohimself。

Hecreptdownthecorridor，pasttheopendooroftheroomwheretheyoungwomanstillsatfastasleep，and，hismaskinhispocketagain，steppedsoftlyintothevestibule，andfromtheretothestreet。

JimmieDalehurriednow，spurredonitseemedbyahot，insensatefurythatragedwithinhim——therewasstilloneothercalltomakethatnight——stillthoseremainingandminutedetailsinthelatterpartofherletter，grimanduglyintheirportent！

Itwascloseupononeo”clockinthemorningwhenJimmieDalestoppedagain——thistimebeforeafashionabledwellingjustoffCentralPark。Andhere，forperhapsthespaceofaminute，hesurveyedthehousefromthesidewalk——watching，withasortofspeculativesatisfaction，aman”sshadowthatpassedconstantlytoandfroacrossthedrawnblindsofoneofthelowerwindows。Therestofthehousewasindarkness。

“Yes，“saidJimmieDale，noddinghishead，“Iratherthoughtso。

Theservantswillhaveretiredhoursago。It”ssafeenough。”

Heranquicklyupthestepsandrangthebell。Adooropenedalmostinstantly，sendingafaintglowintothehallfromthelightedroom；

ahurriedstepcrossedthehall——andtheouterdoorwasthrownback。

“Well，whatisit？“demandedavoicebrusquely。

Itwasquitedark，toodarkforeithertodistinguishtheother”sfeatures——andJimmieDale”shatwasdrawnfardownoverhiseyes。

“IwanttoseeMr。ThomasH。Carling，cashieroftheHudson-

MercantileNationalBank——it”sveryimportant，“saidJimmieDaleearnestly。

“IamMr。Carling，“repliedtheother。“Whatisit？“

JimmieDaleleanedforward。

“Fromheadquarters——withareport，“hesaid，inalowtone。

“Ah！“exclaimedthebankofficialsharply。“Well，it”sabouttime！

I”vebeenwaitingupforit——thoughIexpectedyouwouldtelephoneratherthanthis。Comein！“

“Thankyou，“saidJimmieDalecourteously——andsteppedintothehall。

Theotherclosedthefrontdoor。“Theservantsareinbed，ofcourse，“heexplained，asheledthewaytowardthelightedroom。

“Thisway，please。”

Behindtheother，acrossthehall，JimmieDalefollowedandcloseatCarling”sheelsenteredtheroom，whichwasfittedup，quiteevidentlyregardlessofcost，asacombinationlibraryandstudy。

Carling，inasomewhatpompousfashion，walkedstraightaheadtowardthecarved-mahoganyflat-toppeddesk，and，ashereachedit，wavedhishand。

“Takeachair，“hesaid，overhisshoulder——andthen，turningintheactofdroppingintohisownchair，graspedsuddenlyattheedgeofthedeskinstead，and，withalow，startledcry，staredacrosstheroom。

JimmieDalewasleaningbackagainstthedoorthatwasclosednowbehindhim——andonJimmieDale”sfacewasablacksilkmask。

Foraninstantneithermanspokenormoved；thenCarling，spare-

built，dapperineveningclothes，edgedbackfromthedeskandlaughedalittleuncertainly。

“Quiteneat！Icomplimentyou！Fromheadquarterswithareport，I

thinkyousaid？“

“WhichIneglectedtoadd，“saidJimmieDale，“wastobemadeinprivate。”

Carling，asthoughtoputasmuchdistancebetweenthemaspossible，continuedtoedgebackacrosstheroom——buthissmallblackeyes，blacknowtothepupilsthemselves，neverleftJimmieDale”sface。

“Inprivate，eh？“——heseemedtobesparringfortime，ashesmiled。

“Inprivate！You”veastrangemethodofsecuringprivacy，haven”tyou？Abitmelodramatic，isn”tit？Perhapsyou”llbegoodenoughtotellmewhoyouare？“

JimmieDalesmiledindulgently。

“Mymaskisonlyforeffect，“hesaid。“Mynameis——Smith。”

“Yes，“saidCarling。“Iamverystupid。Thankyou。I”hehadreachedtheothersideoftheroomnow——andwithaquick，suddenmovementjerkedhishandtothedialofthesafethatstoodagainstthewall。

ButJimmieDalewasquicker——withoutshiftinghisposition，hisautomatic，whippedfromhispocket，heldadisconcertingbeadonCarling”sforehead。

“Pleasedon”tdothat，“saidJimmieDalesoftly。“It”sratheragoodmake，thatsafe。Idaresayitwouldtakemehalfanhourtoopenit。Iwasrathercurioustoknowwhetheritwaslockedornot。”

Carling”shanddroppedtohisside。